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January 2007 - Vol. 2 - Issue 1 Wine About It
Wine Info With a Twist
Hello,
Welcome to the first 2007 edition of Wine About It. Forget the Chinese calendar which says this is the year of the pig, we officially proclaim 2007 to be The Year of Wine! We promise to continue providing you with wine information that will expand your horizons and keep you entertained.

In this edition we address the impending day of love or dread, Valentines Day. You will also learn a little (because that’s all there is) on Hawaiian wines along with this month's highly anticipated Booze Clues contest.

If you know anyone else who would enjoy Wine About It, please feel free to pass it along.


The Right Wine for Your Valentine
 

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Valentines Day is just a couple of weeks away. Bring on cupid, the stress, the anticipation, the excitement and, to some, the disappointment. Why is there so much pressure put on this innocent holiday?

You can credit or blame St. Valentine, a Roman priest from around 270 A.D. At that time the Emperor decided that single men made better soldiers so he outlawed marriage. St. Valentine rebelled against this order and secretly married couples in private ceremonies. This ticked off the Emperor and Valentine was thrown in jail and eventually put to death.

Now here's the romantic part. While in jail awaiting his fate, St. Valentine fell in love with the jailor's daughter who was blind. Legend has it that through his faith, he healed the girl and gave her sight. Before he was put to death, he requested a pen and paper and wrote her a love letter. He of course signed it.” From your Valentine." Hallmark Cards jumped on this romantic gesture and the rest is history.

Today Valentines Day is usually celebrated by couples having a romantic dinner (either in or out) and indulging in special bottles of wine. In fact, surveys show that 59% of people would rather receive wine as a valentine than chocolate which only got 41%. Just like anniversary gifts, Valentines wine can be chosen based on your relationship and how long you’ve been together. Here’s an easy guide that can help you to figure out what wine is best for your special Valentine.
(prices are ballpark retail and will be more in a restaurant)

Just dating a couple weeks:
Vueve Cliquot Champagne. It’s expensive enough to show you care, but won’t break the bank in case you don’t last. ($30-40)

Together for a couple months:
Stags Leap Petit Syrah. it’s an amazing Syrah, medium priced, with name recognition and shows you’re getting serious about being serious. ($30-40)

Together 1 year:
Kistler Chardonnay. You’ve made it this far, you both deserve an amazing, high-end Chardonnay to celebrate.($40-50)

Together 10 years:
Justin Isoceles-Red Blend. Ten years is long enough to be comfortable with each other, but new enough to (hopefully) still be exciting. ($40-50)

Together 25 years:
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon. Nothing but the best of cabernets to add romance and warmth to lives that are well connected to each other. ($50-60)

Together 50 years:
Cristal Champagne. In fact you should have two bottles. This is definitely one of the most fabulous Champagnes you can share with someone who is obviously equally as fabulous. Good thing your relationship is solid as a bottle of Cristal will set you back a few bucks. ($200-220)

Divorced or alone on Valentines Day?
Skip the wine and bring on the tequila shots: Patron Silver. Even on your own, you still deserve the best. ($40-50)

Happy Valentines Day.


Drink This!
  openingCongratulations to Judith Womack who was the first to correctly identify our Booze Clues from last issue as Hawaii. Not exactly a cornucopia of wines but enjoy what we found for you.

Life is full of surprises. Wine grapes traditionally need cool weather to allow the vines a chance to rest and develop the complex flavors best for wine making. Surprise! Hawaii, well known for fun in the sun, manages to produce a variety of local wines. The disadvantage of so much sunshine and warm weather is off set by the advantage of higher elevations of volcanic mountains and ridges. The rich volcanic soil nurtures the only native grape, Symphony, which is a hybrid of Muscat and Grenache Gris. This island grape creates wines that are fruity, dry, sweet and blend well with local fruits and berries to create some fun wine. Here are a couple you can check out for your next backyard luau.

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Maui Blanc, Pineapple Wine
“A soft, semi-dry wine made from the juice of Maui grown pineapples. Its pineapple flavor is subtle with a lingering finish. This wine can be served for all occasions and is a great compliment to Pacific Rim cuisine.” So says the winemaker. You can buy it online for about $10 at Maui Wines. Drink it by itself and enjoy the delightful flavor or pair it with stir frys, potstickers or strong cheeses.

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Volcano Red
According to the winemaker “The Hawaiians have long honored Pele, fiery goddess of the volcano. Known for her tempestuous, passionate spirit we have created a wine in her honor and call it simply Volcano Red, or Pele’s Delight. Blended with exotic island jaboticaba berries, it boasts ripe black cherry and cranberry notes; then ends with a light-bodied, fruity finish to cool her smoldering heart. Imagine what it will do to yours.” So says the winemaker.

You can buy it online for about $16 at Volcano Winery. This wine, from the big island of Hawaii, is best served slightly chilled and paired with cheese, pork or grilled fish.

Booze Clues!
Win your very own Let’s Talk About Wine T- Shirt.
Follow the clues and guess where the February wine will hail from.

The first person to email the correct answer to Booze Clues wins a fabulous Let’s Talk About Wine T- shirt. Contest starts now. Get your emails in.

  • This country has been producing wine for more than five centuries. It is the fourth-largest source of wine imported into the United States
  • The climate has been described as midway between that of California and France. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère.
  • Unlike Europe and California, this country is entirely free of the Phylloxera insect which is devastating to grape vines. Its dry fall and spring weather also prevents mildew.
  • Its wines have been associated more with value than quality, but the country is trying to establish credibility for its premium wines. In the Berlin Wine Tasting of 2004, its wines placed both first and second. In the Tokyo Wine Tasting of 2006, its wines took four of the top five rankings.
  • Red wines dominate. 76% of grapes grown in this country are red; 24% are white. But whites are coming on strong.
   
Random Wine-ing
   

Wal-Mart announced that they will soon be offering customers a new discount item: Wal-Mart's own brand of wine. Wal-Mart is teaming up with E&J Gallo to produce the spirits at an affordable $2-5 price range.

Wine connoisseurs may not throw a bottle of Wal-Mart brand into their shopping carts, but according to Professor of marketing Kathy Micken “there is a market for cheap wine but the right name is critical."

Customer surveys determined the top 10 most attractive name for the Wal-Mart brand:

10. Chateau Traileur Parc
9. White Trashfindel
8. Big Red Gulp
7. World Championship Riesling
6. NASCARbernet
5. Chef Boyardeaux
4. Peanut Noir
3. I Can't Believe It's Not Vinegar!
2. Grape Expectations
And the number 1 name for Wal-Mart Wine: Nasti Spumante

According to Micken, "The beauty of Wal-Mart wine is that it can be served with either white meat (Possum) or red meat (Squirrel).

 

Please Drink Wine Responsibly
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